Stamford Legion squanders late lead in playoff loss to Cheshire

Scott Ericson

Updated 10:04 pm, Saturday, July 26, 2014

STAMFORD -- If you told the Stamford Senior American Legion coaches that No. 4 starter Jalen Brown would pitch eight innings while allowing one run in the opening game of the state tournament Super Regional, they would gladly have taken it.

Brown delivered just that, exiting with a two-run lead following a 125-pitch, eight-inning effort Saturday against Cheshire at Cubeta Stadium.

Cheshire was glad to see Brown and his devastating change-up depart, scoring twice in the ninth to tie the game and twice more in the 10th, escaping with a 5-4 win over the home team.

Cheshire advances to take on Branford Sunday at 4:30 while Stamford is forced into an elimination game against Berlin at noon at Cubeta.

Cheshire coach Bill Robertson said his team was glad to see anyone other than Brown on the hill in the ninth.

"The starter for them had a really good change-up so we were off balance for most of the game, but the kids stuck with it," Robertson said. "Our pitcher, P.J. Watson, pitched really well and kept us in the game which is all you can ask and it worked out well."

Both teams were deep into their rotations after playing three games in two days Wednesday and Thursday and both starters were up to the challenge.

Watson went eight innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while Brown also went eight, letting up four hits and just one seventh-inning run.

Stamford coach Kevin Murray said he could not have asked for more from Brown but said this loss stung as badly as any he has experienced.

"3-1, two outs, we had the scenario but you can't let guys on base in that scenario because that team over there has big bats and they made something happen tonight and it hurt us," Murray said. "I am proud of Jalen Brown who has not pitched, at all on the high school level and he battled out there for us. He gave us eight innings against a state contender. It was our game and it is tough to swallow this one."

With Brown out in the ninth, Cheshire got Matt Hickey and Dan Schock on with one out before Stamford retired Wes Robertson via strikeout.

Mike Purcell then drove a two-strike pitch to left-centerfield for a double, scoring both runners and tying the game.

Stamford got two on in the ninth but Randy Polonia hit into a double play, ending the threat.

Cheshire then continued in the 10th what it began in the ninth with Jon Koski scoring on a throwing error by the catcher after Stamford had cut down a runner at the plate with the bases loaded.

Robertson then singled home Hickey, making it 5-3.

Not done, Stamford pulled within a run in the 10th when Kevin Stone singled home Shawn Urbano from first, but Cheshire reliever Christian Colp was able to record the final two outs with Stone left stranded at second.

Peter Horn ripped the ball down the third base line but Koski speared it, cutting down Peter Horn on a close play at first base for the final out.